another popcorn hitter

Since the days of McDowell, Siebert, Tiant, Hargan I've always hated preferred a team of top notch pitching yet I realize that we only became champs when we were a team of Ramirez, Thome, Belle, Lofton and Alomar. So my prejudices are probably counter-indicated by the facts.

The KC Royals did not get where they are with top notch starting pitching.

Lots of ways to do it. But having a balanced team is always a good thing.

And KC is balanced.

Of course the 90s Indians were balanced too with free agent pitchers Martinez and Hershiser key participants. Didn't they have league's best ERA too? Equivalent FA OF's would make me happy, but I knew we won't be signing any of them who offer much of an upgrade over newly acquired Joey Butler

The other issue is that you if have a bunch of pitchers with a bunch of punch and judy hitters it is not very fun to watch. Indeed the Indians have basically been no fun to watch for a long time. We need hitters.

The other issue is that you if have a bunch of pitchers with a bunch of punch and judy hitters it is not very fun to watch. Indeed the Indians have basically been no fun to watch for a long time. We need hitters.

Have to agree with that!

In related news:


Carlos Carrasco - S - Indians

Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros have talked to the Indians about Carlos Carrasco.

The Astros are hoping to land a top closer via trade, but they are also keeping an eye on the starting pitcher market. The club has plenty of interesting young pieces, but the asking price for Carrasco would be substantial.

He's guaranteed just $19 million over the next three seasons, with a pair of reasonable club options in 2019 and 2020. He's a bargain in this market, so the Indians could hold out for a Shelby Miller-like haul.

He's guaranteed just $19 million over the next three seasons, with a pair of reasonable club options in 2019 and 2020.

Ok, David Price and Greinke got 30+ million per year for a zillion years.

Can we just acknowledge at this point that Antonetti made a near-genius move with this signing, considering the market for starting pitching these days??

I agree TFIR but we really need to keep Carasco if at all possible, he and Kluber are a potent 1-2 punch. We should be able to help ourselves with Salazar or Bauer et al. At least that is what I hope. Even better would be signing a free agent and keeping our outfield farm and pitching intact.

Tribe cannot play with the big boys. With no salary cap, the Indians will always be small fry.

Those of you old enough to remember the Kansas City A's being a feeder program for the Skanks. It was like the Skanks had their own farm team masquerading as a Major League team.

But the landscape has changed since those days.

Teams like T Bay (in the past) and this year the Cubs, Astros, Huntington's Pirates and even Mets (with their young pitchers who then made trades for hitters during the season) show that you can win big without being a large spender.

Add the KC Royals to that. They went through some lean years while guys like Gordon, Moustakas, Hosmer developed.

Meanwhile the top 2 spenders, LA and Yankees, spin their wheels.

Bob Nightengale from USA Today reported earlier the Indians and Reds have been discussing a trade involving Todd Frazier.

Since then a couple more writers have came out and said little chance of anything happening there.

At least the names are getting more interesting.

We're all set unless someone offers 5 magic beans for Carrasco.

Hillbilly wrote:Bob Nightengale from USA Today reported earlier the Indians and Reds have been discussing a trade involving Todd Frazier.

Since then a couple more writers have came out and said little chance of anything happening there.

At least the names are getting more interesting.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Reds and Indians are in talks about a deal that would send third baseman Todd Frazier to Cleveland, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. It is unclear how close the sides are to a deal at this time.

Cleveland is known to be looking for help at third base, as they have expressed interest in trading for Athletics infielder Brett Lawrie. Oakland is in serious talks to send Lawrie to the White Sox, causing the Indians to turn their attention elsewhere as they look to make an addition.

http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2015/12/9/9 ... ade-rumors

One of many sources for trade rumors:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/cleveland-indians

Reds are in full rebuild mode and shopping everyone. They are reportedly shopping Frazier "heavily".